Pellet magazine for use in an injector

ABSTRACT

A magazine for accommodating pellets for use in an injector includes a barrel comprising a hollow cylindrical compartment with an open front end and an open rear end. The cross-section of the compartment is selected to accommodate a pellet. The cross section of the rear end is smaller than the accommodated pellet so that it cannot be extracted from the rear end of the compartment. The magazine further includes a cover for closing the front end, including a dispensing opening which, in the closed state, is positioned in front of the front end and has a cross-section selected such that the pellet can pass through the dispensing opening. At least one bar projecting into the dispensing opening prevents the pellet from accidentally falling out, and when subjected to a predetermined force, can be bent outwards such that the pellet can be delivered through the dispensing opening.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 102015103748.3, filed on Mar. 13, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a magazine for accommodating pellets for use in an injector.

BACKGROUND

The difficulty with magazines or accommodating pellets for use in an injector is that on the one hand the pellets have to be introduced into the magazine and on the other hand it is desired to ensure that the pellets are securely prevented from accidentally falling out of the magazine.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved magazine for accommodating pellets for use in an injector.

The disclosure includes a magazine for accommodating pellets for use in an injector, which comprises at least one barrel which comprises a hollow cylindrical compartment with an open front end and an open rear end, wherein the cross section of the compartment as well as of the front end is selected such that a pellet to be accommodated can be accommodated, and the cross section of the rear end is smaller than the pellet to be accommodated, with the result that the pellet cannot be extracted from the compartment via the rear end, wherein the magazine furthermore comprises a cover for closing the front end, which comprises a dispensing opening which, in the closed state, is positioned in front of the front end and has a cross section which is selected such that the pellet can pass through the dispensing opening, wherein at least one bar projecting into the dispensing opening is provided which, when the cover is closed, prevents the pellets from accidentally falling out and, when subjected to a predetermined force, can be bent outwards such that the pellet can be delivered through the dispensing opening.

As the magazine comprises the described cover with the bar projecting into the dispensing opening, the compartment can be easily filled if the cover is not provided, and the pellet can be securely accommodated and stored if the front end of the compartment is closed with the cover.

The outward bending can be e.g. a pure bending, a kinking or a combination of bending and kinking. After delivery of the pellet, the bent bar can return fully to its original position before the bending. However, it is also possible for the bent bar to only partially return to its original position.

In particular two bars projecting into the dispensing opening can be provided. The two bars can lie opposite each other and the distance between their free ends facing each other can be smaller than the corresponding dimension of the pellets.

Due to the at least one bar in its original position, in which it projects into the dispensing opening, there is a free area in the dispensing opening through which the pellet does not pass.

The bar (or bars) can be formed as an elastic bar.

By cross section of the rear end is meant in particular the cross-sectional shape and/or the cross-sectional area. It is important that the cross section of the rear end is selected such that the pellet does not pass through. In particular the cross section of the rear end is selected such that a plunger of an injector for which the magazine according to the invention is formed can be introduced into the compartment through the rear end, in order to be able to deliver the at least one pellet via the dispensing opening of the closed cover.

The cover can be linked to the barrel via a hinge. In particular the cover can be connected to the barrel in such a way that it cannot be lost. The hinge can for example be formed as a film hinge.

The compartment of the barrel preferably extends in a straight line.

The disclosure also includes a security device, which secures the cover against accidental opening in the closed state. The security device can comprise a detent connection between cover and barrel. In particular a detent nose can be provided on the barrel and an associated detent recess can be provided on the cover.

The security device can be formed such that repeated opening and closing of the cover is possible. Alternatively the security device can be formed such that the cover, once closed, can only be opened accompanied by at least partial destruction. By this is meant in particular that, after opening, the cover can no longer be closed such that it is secured against accidental opening.

The magazine can comprise at least two, three or more of the barrels, wherein the hollow cylindrical compartments run parallel to each other. The front ends of the compartments preferably lie next to each other along a straight line. In particular the cover for each barrel can comprise one of the dispensing openings, with the result that, in the closed state, one of the dispensing openings is positioned in front of each front end.

The front ends of the compartments can open into an end plate connecting the barrels. In this case it is preferred that the cover is linked to the end plate.

The barrels can be firmly connected to each other. In particular the at least one barrel and the cover can be formed as a one-piece magazine.

The magazine can for example be an injection-moulded part and thus can be produced in a simple manner with the desired precision and in the desired numbers.

The hollow cylindrical compartments of the barrels are preferably formed identical. In particular the cross section of the compartments can be constant along the longitudinal direction of the barrels. A circular cross section is preferred. However, any other cross-sectional shape is also possible. For example the cross section can be polygonal.

The pellets are preferably pellets containing a medicament. Each compartment can accommodate one or more pellets. The pellets can also be formed as tablets, compacts, or in some other way.

It is also possible for the pellets to be formed as implants. It is thus possible to introduce an implant, e.g. into an animal. The implant can be a medical implant and/or an implant with which e.g. a clear identification of the corresponding animal is possible. Thus the implant can for example comprise wirelessly readable unique information, such as e.g. a serial number.

The pellets are preferably in a solid form, with the result that they can transfer the necessary force to the at least one bar for the bending.

The pellet can in particular be formed cylindrical. The cross-sectional shape of the compartment is preferably adapted to the usual cross-sectional shape of the pellet to be accommodated. If the pellet is formed e.g. as a circular cylinder, the cross section of the compartment can also be circular. However, a different shape of the compartment is also possible. For example, in the case of a pellet with a circular cross section, the cross section of the compartment can be elliptical or polygonal or have another shape.

The magazine according to the invention is in particular formed as a disposable item. The magazine according to the invention can also be formed as a reusable magazine.

The magazine according to the invention is preferably produced from plastic material.

The disclosure further includes an injector (in particular an injector for the veterinary field) for injecting pellets, which comprises a main body, a delivery opening which is formed on the main body and to which a hollow-bore needle can be connected and a magazine guide formed in the main body for a magazine according to the invention (including developments thereof), wherein the magazine guide brings the magazine, barrel by barrel, into an injection position, in which a plunger of the injector can be introduced into the barrel via the rear end of the barrel positioned in the injection position and moved in the direction of the delivery opening in order to deliver the pellet provided in the barrel (or the pellets provided in the barrel) via the delivery opening.

The injector according to the invention can comprise the magazine according to the invention.

The injector can contain an actuation device for actuating the plunger. The actuation device can comprise an actuation element (such as e.g. a lever or a button) that can be operated from the outside and a drive unit for the plunger. After actuation of the actuation element, the plunger is moved by means of the drive unit and the magazine is then preferably further moved around a barrel. The drive unit can bring about the movement of the plunger mechanically, pneumatically and/or electrically. The same applies to the movement of the magazine by means of the magazine guide.

Furthermore, the injector according to the invention can comprise, in the main body, a drawer for accommodating a replacement hollow-bore needle.

The drawer is preferably formed such that in the pushed-in state it closes flush with the main body.

In the bottom area the drawer can comprise a spring element which, when the drawer is pushed in, is held in the tensioned position by the replacement hollow-bore needle situated in the drawer (e.g. by means of a corresponding guide in the main body) and, when the drawer is pulled out, then results in the replacement hollow-bore needle being raised by the relaxing spring in the drawer.

The spring can be formed as part of the bottom of the drawer.

In its housing wall the injector can comprise at least one (e.g. rectilinear) guide for the drawer, wherein a knob of the drawer, which can be touched or actuated by the user from the outside, projects into the guide. The drawer can be brought from its pushed-in position into the pulled-out position via the knob.

In the main body at least one guide bar can be formed, which serves to guide the drawer.

In particular an upper and lower guide bar can be provided, between which the drawer is guided. The upper guide bar can likewise serve to hold the replacement hollow-bore needle in the tensioned position, by exerting a force in the direction of the bottom of the drawer.

The drawer can be arranged such that it can be pulled out of the main body in a direction away from the delivery opening.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used, not only in the stated combinations, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the magazine according to the invention with opened cover.

FIG. 2 is an injector together with the magazine according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view from above of the magazine according to FIG. 1 with opened cover.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the magazine according to FIG. 1 with opened cover.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the magazine along the sectional line A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view according to FIG. 5, but in which the cover, unlike in FIG. 5, is in its closed position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of detail B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of detail C of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a view from below of the magazine according to the invention with opened cover.

FIG. 10 is a view of the rear shell of the injector according to FIG. 2 together with the drawer arranged in the housing.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the drawer of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a view of the drawer from above according to FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the drawer along the sectional line D-D in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a view of the rear end of the drawer.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the magazine 1 according to the invention comprises several barrels 2 (here for example ten barrels 2) for accommodating pellets 3 (one pellet 3 is in each case shown schematically in the sectional representations of FIGS. 5 and 6).

The magazine 1 according to the invention serves for use in an injector 100, in order to inject the pellets from the barrels 2 into an animal for the administration of at least one medicament which is contained in the pellets 3, as described in further detail below.

The barrels 2 are aligned parallel to each other and in each case comprise a hollow cylindrical compartment 4 with an open front end 5 and an open rear end 6, as can be seen in particular from the representation according to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 9 as well as the sectional representations in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The barrels 2 are connected to each other and their front ends 5 lie in an end plate 7 to which a cover 9 is linked via a hinge 8 (for example a film hinge). In the representations of FIGS. 1, 3 to 5 and 9 the cover 9 is shown in an opened position and in the representation according to FIG. 6 the cover 9 is shown in a closed position, as described in further detail below.

For each barrel 2 the cover 9 comprises a dispensing opening 10, which is positioned, in the closed position of the cover 9, in front of the front end 5 of the corresponding barrel 2.

The hollow cylindrical compartments 4 of the barrels 2 here have a circular cross section with a diameter D1 (FIG. 5), wherein the diameter D1 is selected to be greater than the diameter D2 of the pellets 3, with the result that pellets 3 can be accommodated. The hollow cylindrical compartments 4 are formed such that they extend in a straight line and have a constant cross section. Only the open rear end 6 has a smaller diameter D3 than the diameter D1 of the hollow cylindrical compartment 4. This smaller diameter D3 is selected such that it is smaller than the corresponding diameter D2 of the pellets 3 to be accommodated, with the result that the pellets 3 cannot be extracted from the compartment 4 via the rear end 6.

The dispensing openings 10 in the cover 9 have in each case a diameter D4 (FIG. 8) which is greater than the diameter D2 of the pellets. In particular the diameter D4 can be equal to the diameter D1. In addition, each dispensing opening 10 comprises at least one bar 11 projecting inwards (e.g. radially inwards) into the dispensing opening 10. In the embodiment shown here, each dispensing opening 10 comprises two elongated bars 11 opposite each other (as shown in FIG. 8), the dimensions of which are selected such that the free diameter D5 (distance between the front ends 12 of the bars 11 facing each other) is smaller than the corresponding extent D2 of the pellets 3. It is thereby achieved that, when the cover 9 is opened as indicated schematically in FIG. 5 by an arrow P1, the barrels 2 can be filled with pellets 3 via the front ends 5. When the cover 9 is closed, the pellets 3 cannot then fall out of the barrels 2 via the front end 5, as this is prevented by the bars 11 of the dispensing openings 10 positioned in front of the front ends 5. The pellets 3 also cannot be extracted from the barrels 2 via the rear end 6, as the diameter D3 of the rear ends 6 is smaller than the corresponding extent D2 of the pellets 3.

The bars 11 are elastic and dimensioned such that they are bent outwards by the pellets 3 (as indicated by the arrows P2 and P3 in FIG. 6) when a predetermined force is exceeded, with the result that the pellets 3 can then be delivered via the front ends 5 and the dispensing openings 10.

The delivery is achieved in the case of an injector 100 in that a plunger 101 (or a rod 101) of the injector 100, as indicated in FIG. 6, is introduced into the hollow cylindrical compartment 4 via the open rear end 6 of the corresponding barrel 2 and is delivered during a further movement in the direction indicated by the arrow P4, via the front end 5 and the dispensing opening 10 and e.g. a hollow-bore needle 102 of the injector 100 (FIG. 2), which is connected to a delivery opening 119 of the injector 100 (FIG. 10). The diameter D3 of the open rear end 6 is designed such that an unchecked introduction of the plunger 101 is possible.

As is usual with such injectors 100, a magazine guide 103 (FIGS. 2 and 10) is provided, with which the magazine 1 according to the invention can be moved in the direction according to the arrow P5 in each case stepwise such that in each case the next barrel 2 with its pellets 3 provided in the compartment 4 is positioned between the plunger 101 and the hollow-bore needle 102 in an extraction position, which can also be called the injection position, with the result that for injection the plunger 101 can deliver the pellets 3 through the hollow cylindrical compartment 4 and the hollow-bore needle 102 in the manner described. For this, the injector 1, as indicated in FIG. 2, can be formed like a pistol with a grip 104 and a swivellable lever 105, wherein when the lever 105 is swivelled in the direction of the arrow P6 the injection of the pellets 3 is carried out through the described movement of the plunger 101 and when the lever swings back into the position shown in FIG. 2 the magazine 1 is moved downwards by one barrel 2 in the direction of the arrow P5, with the result that, at the next actuation of the lever 105, the pellets 3 from the next barrel 2 can be injected in the manner described. The feed motion of the magazine 1 can be realized in known manner mechanically, pneumatically, electrically and/or in another manner (the same applies to the actuation of the plunger 101).

The cover 9 can be held in its closed position shown in FIG. 6 by means of a detent connection. For this, several detents 14, which in each case comprise a guide surface 15 and a stop surface 16, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 to 7, are formed on the edge 13 of the end plate 7. The guide surface 15 is here inclined at an angle of 50° relative to the top side 17 of the end plate 7. The stop surface 16 is here inclined at an angle of 100° relative to the edge 13 or the longitudinal direction of the compartments 4.

The cover 9 comprises an edge 18, in which for each detent 14 (or detent nose 14) an associated detent recess 19 is formed, as can be seen in the enlarged detail C in FIG. 8. Each detent recess 19 comprises a sliding surface 20 and a detent surface 21. The sliding surface 20 here forms an angle of 80° with the longitudinal direction of the compartments 4. During the closing of the cover 9 (folding of the cover 9 about the hinge 8) the sliding surface 20 slides along the guide surface 15 until it reaches the stop surface 16. At this point the desired catching is then achieved, in which the detent surface 21 lies against the stop surface 16. This is possible because the cover 9 has a certain elasticity and the desired catching can thus be achieved by pressing. The thus-closed cover 9 is secured against accidental opening and, because of the bars 11 in the dispensing openings 10, it is ensured that the pellets 3 cannot accidentally fall out of the hollow cylindrical compartments 4. In the closed position of the cover 9, the underside 22 of the cover 9, from which the edge 18 projects, lies against the upper side 17 of the end plate 7.

The magazine 1 according to the invention can in particular be formed in one piece. Furthermore, the magazine 1 according to the invention can be formed from a plastic material. For example polypropylene can be used as plastic material.

As the cover 9 is connected to the barrels 2 via a hinge 8, it is ensured that the cover 9 cannot become lost. The cover 9 is thus connected to the barrels 2 in such a way that it cannot be lost. The outer contour of the barrels 2 is selected such that the described guiding and the described transport of the magazine 1 in the injector 100 is made possible.

The injector 100, which can also be called the implanter, together with the magazine 1 according to the invention forms an injector 100 according to the invention.

The injector according to the invention can optionally also comprise the needle drawer 106 described below, which serves to store a replacement hollow-bore needle 102. The needle drawer 106 is shown in its retracted position in FIG. 2 and in its partially extended position in FIG. 10, wherein in FIG. 10 only a rear housing shell 107 of the housing 108 of the injector 100 is shown. The housing 108 can also be called the main part 108. An upper and a lower guide bar 109, 110 are provided in the rear housing shell 107 for guiding the drawer 106. In the front housing shell, which is not shown, an upper and lower guide bar can be provided in the same way, which is not the case, however, in the embodiment described here. Furthermore, at least in one of the two housing shells 107, a guide recess 111 is formed into which a side knob 112 projects. In the embodiment described here, in both housing shells 107 a guide recess 111 is formed in each case, into which two side knobs 112, 113 project (FIGS. 2, 10 to 12). The knobs 112, 113 can project laterally beyond the housing 108. The knobs 112, 113 can be enclosed e.g. between thumb and index finger and the drawer 106 can then be pushed from the accommodation position according to FIG. 2 to the dispensing position.

Furthermore, the drawer 106 comprises a guide pin 114 protruding downwards which, in the embodiment shown here, lies laterally against the lower guide bar 110 and is guided by the latter.

The drawer 106 comprises an accommodation area 115 which is dimensioned such that a hollow-bore needle 102 can be accommodated as a replacement. In the embodiment described here, in the area of the bottom 118 (here as part of the bottom 118) of the accommodation area 115, a spring element 116 is arranged, which is pressed downwards when the hollow-bore needle 102 is accommodated and the drawer 106 is pushed in. This is brought about here by the upper guide bar 109, which presses the spring element 116 downwards (in the direction of the bottom 118) via the replacement hollow-bore needle (not shown) placed in the drawer 106. When the drawer 106 is pulled out backwards the thus-produced spring pretension then has the effect that the needle is raised up slightly by the spring 116, with the result that the user can easily take the replacement needle 102 out of the drawer. In the representations of FIGS. 10 and 14 the drawer is shown without a replacement needle in each case.

Thus, in the case of the injector 100 according to the invention, a replacement needle 102 can always be carried in a secure manner, with the result that during use of the injector 100, even if the needle 102 currently being used is broken off, this does not result in the use of the injector 100 having to be interrupted for long. The replacement needle need only be removed from the drawer 106, the broken-off needle 102 replaced, and the desired injections can be continued.

The drawer 106 comprises a rear end 117 which, on the one hand, delimits the accommodation area 115 and, on the other hand, is formed such that it closes the opening for the drawer 106 provided in the housing 108 flush with the rest of the housing when the drawer 106 is closed. It can also be mentioned that the rear end 117 has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the housing 108 in the area of the drawer opening.

The housing 108 and/or the drawer 106 can be formed from plastic material.

The described injector 100 with the drawer 106 can also be formed such that it can be equipped with already-known magazines. Known injectors can thus be modified such that they comprise the drawer 106 according to the invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magazine for accommodating pellets for use in an injector, comprising: a plurality of longitudinally-extending barrels, wherein a longitudinal axis of each barrel is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of the other barrels, and each of the plurality of barrels comprising an open front end, an open rear end and a hollow cylindrical compartment spanning between the open front end and the open rear end, and an opening of the open rear end is smaller than an opening of the open front end; a pellet disposed in each of the plurality of barrels, wherein the open rear end of each of the plurality of barrels has a shape and/or a size that will not allow the pellet in the barrel to pass out of the magazine via the open rear end; a cover that closes over the open front end of each of the plurality of barrels to close a front end of the magazine, wherein the cover includes a plurality of apertures defined there through that are respectively aligned with the open front end of each of the plurality of barrels in each case, wherein each of the plurality apertures comprises a plurality of flexible bars that extend radially into the respective aperture such that passage of the pellet located in each of the plurality of barrels can be blocked until a sufficient force is applied to such pellet to bend the plurality of flexible bars sufficient to permit passage of the pellet out of the respective barrel; a detent defined on an outer side surface of the magazine, wherein the cover is secured to the magazine such that the cover pivots on a first side thereof about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of barrels, and wherein the cover is configured on a second side thereof, opposite the first side, to engage with the detent to secure the cover in the closed position over the front end of the magazine, wherein the second side of the cover defines a detent recess, the detent recess comprising a sliding surface and a detent surface, and wherein the sliding surface and the detent surface are arranged such that during a closure of the cover, the detent slides along the sliding surface until the detent reaches the detent surface and is then caught by the detent surface.
 2. The magazine according to claim 1, wherein the cover is pivotally secured to the magazine via a film hinge.
 3. The magazine according to claim 1, wherein the detent comprises a guide surface and a stop surface, wherein the guide surface forms a first oblique angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of barrels, and wherein the stop surface forms a second oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of barrels.
 4. The magazine of claim 3, wherein the first oblique angle is 50° and the second oblique angle is 100°.
 5. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the detent surface forms an angle of 80° with the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of barrels.
 6. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the detent is configured such that a guide surface of the detent slides along the sliding surface until a stop surface of the detent catches the detent surface to prevent unintentional opening of the cover.
 7. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the detent extends outward from the magazine in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of barrels.
 8. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a planar surface portion with a side wall extending perpendicular to the planar surface portion that defines the second side of the cover, wherein the plurality of apertures are defined through the planar surface portion.
 9. The magazine of claim 8, wherein the side wall also extends from opposing longitudinal ends of the cover between the first side and the second side thereof.
 10. The magazine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible bars in each of the plurality of apertures comprises a first bar and a second bar, wherein a distance between a facing end of the first bar and a facing end of the second bar is smaller than a corresponding diameter dimension of each of the pellets.
 11. The magazine according to claim 1, wherein the magazine, the cover and the detent are formed of a single material as a one-piece component.
 12. An injector for injecting pellets, comprising: a main body; a delivery opening formed in the main body; a magazine according to claim 1; and a magazine guide formed in the body for the magazine, wherein the magazine guide is configured to bring a first barrel of the magazine into an injection position, in which a plunger of the injector is introduced into the first barrel via the rear end of the first barrel positioned in the injection position and moved in the direction of the delivery opening in order to deliver the pellet provided in the first barrel via the delivery opening.
 13. The injector according to claim 12, further comprising a drawer for accommodating a replacement hollow-bore needle disposed in the main body, the replacement hollow-bore needle can be connected to the delivery opening.
 14. The injector according to claim 13, wherein in a pushed-in state, the drawer closes flush with the main body.
 15. The injector according to claim 12, wherein the main body defines a top side and a bottom side and the magazine guide is configured to move the magazine in a direction towards the bottom side of the main body to bring the first barrel of the magazine into the injection position. 